Your Questions Answered about Over the Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids

In a landmark ruling, the FDA approved over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. This ruling meant that beginning in October, retailers, from local pharmacies to electronic big box stores to online stores, were permitted to sell hearing aids.

Here are a few items the FDA has noted about the who and what behind OTC hearing aids.

• They are for people 18 and older.
• OTC aids are for those with a mild to moderate hearing loss.
• No prescription is required.
• They will cost significantly less than hearing aids dispensed by audiologists or other licensed hearing aid dispensers.

According to the National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), one in eight people in the United States, or 30 million individuals over 12, has a bilateral hearing loss.

That’s a large number of people in our country alone and doesn’t include those with unilateral (one ear) hearing loss.

Then, there’s the cost factor. Hearing aids can vary in cost, but you may pay between $1,000-$4,000 per prescription aid.

And, that’s a high cost for many, so in theory, offering an accessible option to the millions with hearing loss makes sense, right?

Hearing Aids of Sarasota and Doc Side Audiology certainly understand everyone’s needs and expected outcomes are different. Our role is to help you learn more before you decide how to best aid your hearing. So let’s dive deeper into any questions you may have.

How will I know if I have a mild to moderate hearing loss (which the OTC aids are designed for)?

This is a great question, and the OTC dispensing model relies on the consumer to seek that knowledge independently or rely on their perceived loss.

The best comparison for OTC versus prescription hearing aids might be to consider glasses. Of course, you can go to many stores to buy magnifying readers. Still, you probably would rely on an optometrist or ophthalmologist to diagnose any visual deficits affecting your everyday life and go beyond reading the restaurant menu or doctor’s office paperwork.

OTC hearing aids can perhaps be thought of in the same way. Similar to prescriptive glasses, prescriptive hearing aids from an audiologist will specifically address your unique hearing needs. In contrast, the over-the-counter aids will serve people best who hear generally well with occasional hearing amplification needed.

Without knowing the actual hearing loss you may have, you may spend money (albeit less) but find you don’t get the results from an OTC aid you’d hoped for.

If I know the severity of my loss, could this be a good option?

The electronic piece that fits in your ear is really only one small piece of what an audiologist provides. Apart from assessment and diagnosis, an audiologist custom fits an aid to make it work optimally and feel comfortable. If the aid fits and amplifies sound correctly (a good fit makes all the difference), you’ll be more apt to wear your new aid regularly.

Another point we’d like to emphasize is that audiologists are healthcare professionals who also treat and manage balance and additional ear problems (excessive wax and tinnitus or ear ringing). Therefore, we may uncover other ear health needs during our assessments that require patient counsel and a treatment plan and make appropriate referrals to other healthcare providers if needed. 

If I decide OTC hearing aids are the option I’ll seek, can I still use an audiologist’s services?

We’re here to inform and educate you to make the most thoughtful decision. If you go the route of OTC aids, we hope you’ll first come to us to get your hearing tested. Let’s make sure you’re a candidate for aids and that you have a mild to moderate loss.

Then, after you purchase your choice aid, continued care, including annual tests and addressing any other hearing or balance needs, are all best handled by a skilled audiologist.

Audiologists also routinely handle maintenance for prescriptive aids and understand how to work with the manufacturers who make the aids we dispense. With the new OTC aids, they will have internal differences, and presently, we still have a lot to learn about how each OTC aid’s technical specifications vary to help clients best maintain them.

At Hearing Aids of Sarasota and Doc Side Audiology, we treat you like family. We’re staying on top of our field and want to offer every client an educational, stress-free, and enjoyable journey back to better hearing.

If you have any other questions on OTC hearing aids or dispensed aids or need a hearing test, please reach out to us today to make your appointment.